Need Urgent Wiring/Light/Switch Help (1994 Ram 3500)
 

Hey Guys,

I just hauled a car up to South Carolina from Tampa. About 3/4 of the way there I encountered some really bumpy roads (might have played a role?). Shortly after I smelled something odd, pulled over and gave the truck a once over. Everything was fine but then I noticed my running lights (truck and trailer) were very dim. I poked around the interior and the smell was coming from around the headlight switch area. Nothing seemed too hot, and I decided to continue on.

At my next fuel stop, I did what I could to diagnose the problem, but being 20* outside, and under-dressed (typical Floridian) and 1AM, I couldn't spend too much time on it. I did notice that when I unplugged the trailer the trucks running lights returned back to normal brightness. I assumed there was a short in the trailer somewhere or a bad connection on the truck side (not supplying enough current?), didn't get anything too useful from the multimeter, and the cold weather won so I retreated to the truck.

I had to continue driving, despite the funny smell. I couldn't think of any other options. Made it event-free to my destination until I went to turn the lights off. Pushed the switch in once, headlights went off, pushed it in all the way and all of the running lights were still on. Not good! Played with the switch with no results, and I even unplugged the light switch entirely and to my surprise the running lights stayed on...odd! I just took out the 50A fuse and went inside. Too cold to mess with it.

So now I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have a burning (smell), barely functioning light, or pull the fuse and have no lights at all. I have to leave for home in the morning and I am not sure how to proceed.

It should be noted the headlight switch was done under recall by the dealer just a few months ago.

If anyone has ANY ideas or information that might help me it would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance!

sounds like the headlight / dimmer assembly, they are famous for burning up if you use the dim feature, they work best if ya run them on full bright all the time

I would pull the dimmer and check it out, look at the wires for black melted plastic

its yer gamble if ya wanna run like that though just be careful there has been some trucks burn down over this exact thing

x2 on that

I unplugged the light switch. :s:

i'd leave the fuse out and drive it home like that man, wouldnt risk burnin the truck down